News

La Fura Dels Baus in Lagos in the Algarve

In the Algarve tonight, something different!

«Gnosis» – La Fura Dels Baus (Catalunha, Spain) “Gnosis”: travels and knowledge provide the theme for this grand show by the company La Fura dels Baus, one of the most prestigious in the world that has been seen by audiences totaling 3 million people. With a 31-year history, the Spanish company works in a range of impressive styles.


Have a look at the following Youtube video:

Time: 22h00
Price: Free Admission

Praça Infante D. Henrique (Lagos) – 29 of August

Don’t miss the White Night in Loule

White Night Algarve
White Night Algarve

If you’re in the Algarve at the end of August (28 August), don’t miss the all-night summer party known as Noite Branca or “White Night.” It takes place throughout the city streets, which are all decorated in white, and features live music, international DJs, street entertainers and eye-catching urban art. Entrance is free – just come dressed in white.

Noite Branca or “White Night” first took place in Loulé in 2007, and is based on the White Night concept which started in Paris and is now held in cities all over Europe. Thousands will flock to one of Portugal’s biggest chill-out events, with Loulé’s streets decorated in white, and shops and restaurants staying open late, with special white window displays and discounts to customers wearing white.

The central part of the city will be transformed into a huge “living room” with the colour white being the connecting factor between the different areas, music stages and themed features. There will be live music, international DJs, street entertainers and eye-catching urban art, and you’ll find pianists, saxophonists, jazz bands, jugglers, fire eaters, human statues, clowns, magicians and a host of other entertainers, all dressed in white.

Street entertainment
Street entertainment

Entrance is free and all that is expected of you is that you dress in white and enjoy everything that this superb night has to offer. White Night is held on the last Saturday of August – another great event of the Algarve summer.
So do not miss this special night out this Saturday 28 of august!

This post brought by you by Algarve Housing, a villa rental company in the Algarve. Algarve Housing rent holiday villas, form rustic Windmills to luxury villas. Please visit our website, or contact me for more information.

Warm Regards,
Michele

Top Artist performing in the Algarve!!

Anastacia
Anastacia performing in the Algarve

Top Artist performing in the Algarve!! Anastacia, Anna Moura and Jamie Collum will rock the Algarve this Summer. Are you on Hoilday or live here, do not miss to see those great artists. Or just book one of the few nice villa’s left of Algarve Housing, nice discount prices at the moment!

Anastacia in concert
‘The little lady with the big voice’ will be performing her unique combination of soul, rock and pop.

When: Tuesday 17 August at 10.30pm
Where: CS Herdade dos Salgados, Albufeira
The details: Known as ‘the little lady with the big voice,’ Anastacia will be performing her unique combination of soul, rock and pop.
Ticket prices: €30

Ana Moura in the Algarve
Ana Moura in the Algarve

Ana Moura in concert
Contemporary fado star returns to the Algarve
When: Saturday 21 August at 10pm
Where: Vale do Lobo
The details: Contemporary fado star returns to the Algarve
Tickets: €20

Jamie Collum, the diminutive British jazz sensation in concert
Jamie Collum, the diminutive British jazz sensation in concert

Jamie Collum in Albufeira
The diminutive British jazz sensation in concert, performing songs from his back catalogue and his most recent album The Pursuit.

When: Sunday 22 August, 22.30pm
Where: Balaia Golf Village, Albufeira
Details: The diminutive British jazz sensation in concert, performing songs from his back catalogue and his most recent album The Pursuit.
Tickets: €30

Tickets:
Available at www.ticktline.pt or from FNAC, Worten, Dolce Vita, CTT and other outlets

Visit our website for nice villas in the Algarve, with nice discounts for August and September, or book already your favourite villa for next year. Contact me for more information.

Very warm regards,
Michele

Sardine Festival in the Algarve

Grilled Sardines
Grilled Sardines
Grilled Sardines

Excellent Sardines and grilled fish are available everywhere, in the Algarve, but Portimao is famous for this. Lots of restaurants specialise in this delicacy: charcoal grilled , seasoned with coarse sea-salt, eaten from a slice of bread, and washed down with red wine (or beer). This is the way we eat Sardines! So not surprising that every year Portimao hosts the Sardine Festival! This year the festival starts on Friday 6th August till 15th August, from 6 till 12 pm.

Portimão’s Sardine Festival is one of the highlights of the summer with 10 nights of entertainment, tasty food, market stalls and music. From 8pm to 9.30pm every night there will be local and regional bands playing with the main show starting at 10pm.

Program
6th: Rui Veloso
7th: Deolinda
8th: Ana Moura
9th: Xutos e Pontapés
10th: Rua da Saudade + Fernando Tordo
11th: Quim Barreiros
12th: José Cid
13th: Netinho
14th: Pedro Abrunhosa
15th: Boss AC + Yuri da Cunha + Tito Paris + Ana Firmino
Event Location
Portimão River Front
Admission: 3,50€

Apart from Sardines there will be other Portuguese delights.
It is great fun and an excellent way to enjoy the summer nights when you are on holiday!

Algarve Housing rents holiday villas in the Algarve, contact us for more information or visit our website.

Warm Regards,
Michele

30% discount in August and September!

Private Pool
Private Pool with view

Stunning Town House in Albufeira, close to Fishermen Beach, has a special offer, for the few available weeks in August and September, now 30% discount.

The Beach House, has 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, open kitchen/lounge area, and private pool on the roof, with the most georgeous view over the Atlantic Ocean. Only one minute to the beach where free sun lounges waiting for you, and another minute to down town lively Albufeira!

En-suite bedroom with a/c
En-suite bedroom with a/c

The Beach House has still a few weeks available, and we give 30% discount in August and September. Air-conditioning is included!
Contact me for more information, or visit our website for more pictures and details.
Warm Regards,
Michele

Special Villas and Special Offers in the Algarve

Casa Lavender

Living like a local in a private holiday rental in Portugal, not only provides you with an unrivaled opportunity to experience the best of your temporary home, with all the space, privacy and freedom you need, but also keeps costs in check. Algarve Housing has many special offers up to 25% discount!

Don’t settle for anything less have a holiday in the Algarve with more room!

Check our website for nice holiday villas in the Algarve, and contact me for more information regarding the discount prices!

Warm Regards,
Michele

Casa Vilarinha, relax and enjoy!
Relax and enjoy!

Opera in the Algarve don’t miss it!

Mozart in the Algarve

Location, location, location, that is the Castle of Silves where the Opera of Mozart will perform on Saturday and Sunday  10th and 11th of July. If you do not like opera, you can still enjoy the most beautiful settings of the special event! The opera Così fan Tutte by the Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, will be performed in the open air on a hot summer’s night at Silves Castle.

Cosi fan Tutte an opera of which they say the most beautiful and prestigious works of Mozart as old as 1790 when it was first performed.

Hot Summer Night in Silves

The opera, staged by Paulo Matos and interpretation of the Algarve Orchestra, conducted by maestro Osvaldo Ferreira, is considered one of the most beautiful and prestigious works of Mozart, having had its premiere at the Burgtheater in Vienna, stemmed from the year 1790. It was on several occasions, classified as a “geometric opera, either by argument – which shows two pairs, face to face – both musically, the disposition of their arias. It is basically seen as an opera written to amuse audiences. Così fan tutte is assumed, therefore, as a work that combines a deep sense of comedy, the irrepressible musical creation of Mozart in the definition and illustration of the contradictions of loving human soul.

Algarve Orchestra in Silves

Remember what it was like to be a teenager in love? How it seemed like it could never possibly end? How you and your “steady” were so right together that you couldn’t even imagine being apart?

Now think back to what it was like when the object of that love, your perfect soul mate, threw you over for someone else. Painful, right? Almost too painful to bear — or at least that’s how it seemed at the time.

When we get older, it’s easy to look back on our lovesick youth with amusement. We wonder at how losing that long-ago boyfriend or girlfriend could have seemed so important, and how the loss could have been so devastating. But we still remember how it felt, and age and experience tell us that when grown-up relationships break down, the pain can be even worse. Maybe that’s why Mozart’s outwardly comical masterpiece, Cosi fan tutte, often leaves audiences feeling more than a little uneasy.

Over time, the mixed emotions Cosi evokes have led to criticism of the opera. Some say the music and the libretto simply don’t match — that sentiments the libretto states routinely are heard in music so deeply stirring that the words and the score seem at odds with each other. Maybe, though, that emotional disparity is Mozart’s way of making sure this unlikely story hits its mark.

Deep down, Cosi fan tutte provides a sharp reminder of how often the true depth of our feelings is sadly contradicted by clumsy statements and predictable actions. Mozart’s opera also does something even more profound: It bluntly reminds us that our most cherished relationships can often be fragile and tenuous, and in doing so it shines a harsh light on the barest of our vulnerabilities.

Opera in the Algarve

Opera in the Algarve, do not miss it! Why not rent a luxury villa in the Algarve with Algarve Housing. Check our website for nice villas in the Algarve, or contact me for more information.

We like to show you a You tube video to get you in the mood….

Where?

Silves Castle

Time?

21.30

Price?

20 euros

Tickets?

Fnac, Worten, www.ticketline.pt

I might see you there?!

Warm Regards,

Michele


High quality entertainment in Loule: Festival Med!

Best festival in the Algarve, do not miss it! Starting Wednesday 23 June and end Saturday night 26 June….

Femi Kuti

Considered to be one of the most important cultural events in the Algarve region, the MED Festival blends music from all around the world with Mediterranean culture and achieves a perfect combination of the most diverse artistic expressions.

Music is given special importance at this festival, with stages being set up in particularly attractive places all around the historic center, where more than 40 established bands and performers will be playing “world music”.

Besides music, the intense program of cultural entertainment offered to the festival’s visitors will consist of a wide and diversified range of gastronomy, street entertainment, theater, exhibitions and Mediterranean-inspired crafts.

During these hot summer days, Loulé will be transformed into a city filled with high quality entertainment and open to the world.

Watch this video to get in the mood. Orchestra Baobab performs Friday 25th.

Algarve Housing rent villa’s in the Algarve, please visit our website for YOUR ideal holiday villa!

For further information regarding the Festival: www.festivalmed.com.pt

You can contact us for more information regarding the festival or the villa’s we rent.

Warm Regards,

Michele

Jazz in the Algarve

Starting tomorrow (18 June) till Sunday Night (20 June) there is spectacular Jazz in the Algarve. Not only the music is spectacular, but even more the setting, so together an event not to be missed! Combine the music events with a Private Holiday Villa of Algarve Housing, to make it even more perfect!

Amina Figarova from Azerbedjan in the Algarve

Who:

Friday 17 June: Michel Portal & Yaron Herman from Israel and France

Saturday 18 June: Sextet de Amina Figarova from Azerbedjan (picture above)

Sunday 19 June: Trio de Edmar Castaneda from Colombia

Sito das Fontes, Estombar, Lagoa, Algarve

Where:

Sito das Fontes, Estombar, Lagoa

Looking over the river do Arade, is an Roman amfi theater where the Jazz artists perform. The setting is stunning. There is a lounge area where you can enjoy the lush views over the river, and follow the concert on a big screen. After the concert DJ Luis Gomes will continue with good music, together with saxofonist Nana Sousa Dias.

An event not to be missed, must seen to believe it!

When:

18-20 June. Parc opens at 7pm, concert starts at 10 pm.

Price:

Friday night: 20 euro, Saturday and Sunday: 8 euro.

More information:

Website: http://www.lagoajazz.com

Telephone: (00351) 282380434

Get in the mood with a You Tube video impression of Michel Portal & Yaron Herman

Next weeks entertainment:

23 – 26 Jun 2010
For four nights you can enjoy Festival Med that transforms Loulé into a Moorish mecca of food, wine, music and street entertainment, featuring top-line world music acts such as Femi Kuti and Mazgani. Next week in this blog more.

Subscribe to our blog so you won’t miss any of those fantastic-not-to-be-missed events.

Why not combine the music events with a private holiday villa of Algarve Housing.

Contact me for more information about the events or the villas.

Warm Regards,

Michele


Top Luxury Villa in the Algarve

Multi level private pool with Jacuzzi on the top

New on the books of Algarve Housing, an 10 en-suite bedroom villa close to Lagos (West Algarve) for a top
luxury stay in the Algarve, that is what Villa D’Ouro (Gold) offers. A converted luxury 4 star hotel to a 10 bedroom luxury holiday villa.

Your private Wine Cellar

The villa has a large lounge with private pool table, a large gym, sauna, and your own wine cellar for wine tasting. A covered nice terrace with splendid views over the hills of Lagos, overlooking the garden with nice multi level pool and jacuzzi.

A unique, charming Villa, decorated in modern style, yet which incorporates a certain attention to detail that is both warm and welcoming. Situated close to Lagos area with views to the inland. Every single detail has been carefully thought out, to produce a Villa which is ….quite different!

Located one hour from Faro Airport and two hours from Lisbon or Seville. The nearby long stretched, white, sandy beach of Meia Praia is about 3 km away, while the spectacular Ponta da Piedade headland is a little
further – 6 km. Historic Lagos town center is approximately 2.5 km.

All rooms are en-suite and have nice decorations

The Villa comprises of 10 bed rooms of modern, minimalist design, individually furnished by some of the world’s most famous interior designers. All rooms are air-conditioned, have a private balcony or terrace, satellite TV´s ( Lcd´s), mini-bar, hair dryer, telephone, safe and bath robes. Daily housekeeping and personal laundry service (extra charge) are standard.

Villa d'Ouro by night

A Bar, a breakfast room with outdoor terrace (with BBQ), a full equipped modern kitchen, a Wine Cellar and a lounge with pool table are part of the Villa D´Ouro amenities.

There is an outside pool with Jacuzzi (extra charge) a sauna and a fully equipped Gym (available from September onwards). A 2500 m2 landscaped garden surrounds the villa and the pool.

The immediate surrounding area offers a full range of amenities and activities, including restaurants, bars and extensive night life.   Golf is available at the nearby courses of Parque da Floresta, Boavista, Palmares, Penina or Morgado. Water sports include water skiing, windsurfing, sailing, diving, deep-sea fishing. Motor and
sailboat cruises, centered round the bustling Marina. Alternatively, we can arrange for jeep safaris, horseback riding, tennis, clay pigeon shooting, lawn bowling or micro-light flying.

An ideal holiday villa for a family and friends reunion, or a business incentive trip.

Please contact me for more information and prices or visit our website for more luxury holiday villas in the Algarve.

Warm
Regards,

Michele

Spent a Winter in the Algarve…

In the Winter you have your private Beach!

Temperatures rising, Summer has started here in the Algarve with temperatures over 30 degrees! But you have to think ahead and after the summer there will be another Winter, and Winter in the Algarve can be very nice……Why not spent a winter in the Algarve? Check our website for nice villa’s in the Algarve and our attracting Winter let prices.

The Algarve is truly a year round destination. Spring and summer is long and winter is short but mild.

The Algarve is the region in Portugal with the best climate. Whilst there is snow and negative temperatures in the northern areas of the country, in the Algarve the sun beds wait for you. Winter is also the best time of the year to find ‘out of season’ inexpensive accommodation. Winter starts on the 21st of December and ends on the 19th of March, but our special Winter Rental Prices start on the first of November till the first of April!

Each season has its advantages. The golf courses are open all year round, the Algarve’s beaches may also be enjoyed throughout the year. Many are not only known for their fantastic infinite white sand and blue cool waters, but also for their seaside restaurants, offering a great gastronomic experience. Explore the local arts and crafts during all seasons. The Algarve is famous mainly for pottery, which can prove to be an extremely interesting experience.

Your dog will love it!

Algarve Housing rent Holiday Villa’s all year around. We have started with our Winter Rentals Promotion. Visit our website and contact me for the Special Winter Rental prices!

Not on our website, but a very nice 2 storey luxury apartment looking over the lagoon and river of Alvor. Ideal for a couple, and 2 extra guest is possible. Close to beach and lively centre of Alvor. Close to Portimao and Lagos. Use of large communal pool. Private terrace, with gorgeous views.

Please contact me for more information.

Click below to see a slide show of pictures of this very nice apartment near Alvor.



Warm
Regards,

Michele


Top Ten Things to do in the Algarve

We have the nice weather, nice holiday villas to rent, the beaches etc… but What else can YOU do????

Algarve Housing rent villa’s in the Algarve, the most southern part of Europe. With 300 days of sunshine per year, gorgeous beaches and friendly local people an ideal holiday destination. Our holiday villa’s are of high standard, all with private pool and gardens, within 30 minutes to the beach.

We give you 10 top tips….

Boat trip Portimao

1. Take a boat trip

Take a pleasure boat trip from Portimão harbor and enjoy a full day of sunbathing on deck, swimming
from the boat and snorkeling in clear turquoise waters. You will be taken to the best beaches and shown hidden caves en route. Lunch is usually included and is often a delicious meal of fresh sardines, bread and wine.

2. Fishing Trips

Try your luck at big game fishing! Trips run daily from fishing town Portimão between June and September. This day out is ideal for beginners and experienced fishers alike.

3. Take the kids to Slide and Splash

You can’t visit the Algarve with teenagers and not take them here! Considered one of the best water parks in Europe, Slide and Splash offers a variety of rides for all ages as well as a relaxing Jacuzzi for adults. Take a picnic and watch out for sunburn. The water park is located near to Lagoa, Carvoeiro and Portimão in Central Algarve.

4. Visit a colorful Algarve Market

Regular markets are held throughout the Algarve and most towns and villages have their own. Ask in local shops to find the nearest market to you, or visit one of the larger tourist markets such as the one in Loulé, held every Saturday morning. You can expect to find a range of things for sale including bags, shoes, fake designer goods and souvenirs. Take care with personal security when visiting markets.

5. Explore Silves and Monchique

Spend a day exploring the best of the Algarve’s historical heritage. Start at the medieval castle at
Silves – the town once known as the Algarve’s Moorish capital. Then visit the cork museum at the Fábrica do Inglês, which offers a permanent exhibition demonstrating how cork is processed. Finish up taking a walk around Monchique, just a short drive away from Silves.  Situated in the Monchique Mountains, this is the most beautiful part of the Algarve and is an ideal place to stop for a meal with an excellent selection of friendly restaurants.

6. Visit lively Vilamoura

Visiting Vilamoura offers an excellent day of shopping; eating and watching the world go by from a
pavement café on the Marina. This lively resort also offers a casino.

Zoo Marine Albufeira

7. Swim with dolphins at Zoo Marine

Enjoy dolphin shows at Zoo Marine, which is located near to Albufeira. It is also possible to swim with dolphins here, although you must pre-book for this. The center is also home to seals, sea lions, and a variety of tropical fish, small tiger sharks and exotic birds.

8. Take a family outing to Krazy World

Krazy World offers a top family day out with animals (llamas, deer, wallabies, camels) for petting,
crazy golf, swimming, pony rides and quad biking. New attractions are added regularly and in summer there are live animal shows. Located near to Algoz in Central Algarve.

9. Learn to play golf

The Algarve is an ideal golf destination due to its long sunny days throughout the year and large
selection of golf courses. If you’ve never tried it before why not indulge yourself with a few lessons? Or spend a day improving your game. Try Penina Golf Club near Portimão or Pestana Golf Academy at Carvoeiro Golf Club.

10. Go Shopping

The best shopping locations in the Algarve include the elegant Quinta Shopping at Quinta do Lago, the Marina at Vilamoura, Algarve Shopping Center at Guia and Forum Algarve at Faro. Open daily until mid night! Algarve shopping bargains include leather goods, which are locally made, pottery, decorated tiles, crystal, copper ware, embroidered tablecloths, filigree jewelery and cork products.

You will also find pottery sold from shops along the old main coastal road (N125)

Luxury villa to rent, with private pool and gardens

So visit our website, choose your ideal holiday villa in the Algarve and come and join us in the lovely Algarve.

Warm
Regards,

Michele

Algarve has some of Europe’s best Beaches!


Portugal’s coastline boasts some of Europe’s best beaches. There’s variety too, with a choice of superb surfing beaches facing the Atlantic full on, or sheltered family holiday beaches on the Algarve with full resort facilities close to hand.

Portugal’s Algarve beaches are renowned for their blue flag status and beauty. To the west Algarve the dramatic rock formations add character, whilst on the east Algarve coast beaches are influenced by estuaries and are flatter and more sheltered.

Algarve Beaches

A record number of beaches in the region will be flying the Blue Flag this summer.

Some 69 Blue Flag beaches have been named in the Algarve, 15 more than in 2009 and the highest ever in the Algarve.

Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira and Vilamoura marinas will also be flying the flag.

The Blue Flag is awarded to beaches that meet the exacting criteria regarding water quality, environmental management and education, safety, cleanliness and facilities. Many beaches along the Algarve are manned by life-guards during the summer season. You should always pay attention to the indications given by the life-guards and follow the indications of the color coded flags posted on the beaches.

Green: swimming permitted

Yellow: Swimming forbidden

Red: Swimming & entering water forbidden

Blue/White: Beach temporarily unattended

One of Algarve's safe beaches

Algarve Housing rent special villas in the Algarve. Would you like to enjoy one of the best beached of Europe, and stay in a nice villa, check our website and contact me for any further information.

Subscribe to our blog to keep updated about Special Offers, information about the Algarve and Things to do in the Algarve.

Warm regards,

Michele

Special High Season Offer for Constantini Residence

Luxury villa for rent in central algarve, on Special Offer

On Special offer, price drop to 2750 euros/week.

Luxury villa in the center of the Algarve, that sleeps 8 in the main villa and another two lucky guests in the annex. Located in the country side, with lush views towards the coast, only 15 minutes drive to Albufeira. With a private pool, with Jacuzzi, makes this your ideal holiday home in the Algarve. We drop the high season week price from 3300 euros to 2750 euros.

Please visit our website for more information, details and this property. You can contact me for availability and any additional information regarding this Special Offer of the luxury holiday villa.

Warm Regards,
Michele

Special High Season Offer for Constantini Residence

On Special offer, price drop to 2750 euros/week.

Luxury villa in the center of the Algarve, that sleeps 8 in the main villa and another two lucky guests in the annex. Located in the country side, with lush views towards the coast, only 15 minutes drive to Albufeira. With a private pool, with Jacuzzi, makes this your ideal holiday home in the Algarve. We drop the high season week price from 3300 euros to 2750 euros.

Please visit our website for more information and details:
http://algarvehousing.net/villasinalgarve/luxuryvillas/constantini/constantini.html
and contact me for availability: http://algarvehousing.net/villasinalgarve/customerservice/contactus.html

Warm Regards,
Michele